Abstract: Techniques for high fidelity quantum teleportation include receiving an input photon representing a qubit. Ancilla photons are generated in a particular ancilla quantum state chosen to reduce a rate of error below a threshold error rate. The ancilla and the input photon are combined to populate output channels. A number of photons representing logical value 1 are measured in a subset of the output channels. A particular output channel is determined based on the measured number of photons. A teleported photon is obtained at the particular output channel with an error rate below the threshold error rate. These techniques allow the ancilla quantum state to be chosen to minimize the error despite the presence of losses and noise. Quantum logic operations are performed by teleporting two input qubits with the quantum state of the ancilla chosen to produce the desired logical result and reduce the error.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting corrosion, e.g., pitting corrosion, of alloys is provided. Particularly, the method comprises contacting at least a portion of a surface of the alloy with an aqueous solution comprising a salt of one or more rare earth elements selected from the group consisting of yttrium, gadolinium, cerium, europium, terbium, samarium, neodymium, praseodymium, lanthanum, holmium, ytterbium, dysprosium and erbium; and establishing a voltage differential between an anode comprising the alloy and a cathode in the solution at an effective level and for a sufficient period of time wherein a rare earth element oxide-containing coating is formed on the surface of the alloy to inhibit corrosion thereof.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing pathologic heart conditions in which a time series of heart sounds is filtered and parsed into a sequence of individual heart cycles. A systolic interval as well as systolic sub-intervals are identified for each heart cycle. The systolic intervals and ECG peaks are then digitally filtered to optimize for click detection. For each heartcycle, systole time limits are determined, a time series of the transform at specific wavelet scales are input to a Neyman-Pearson “constant false alarm rate” (CFAR) detector to identify anomalously high wavelet coefficients, and a vector of detections vs. time is created. The series of anomalously high detections (one series for each heart cycle) are then assembled into a matrix and convolved with an averaging vector yielding detection statistics across heart cycles and time intervals consistent with an observed spread of click occurrence times.

Abstract: Techniques are provided that use the quantum Zeno effect to implement practical devices that use single photons as the qubits for quantum information processing. In the quantum Zeno effect, a randomly-occurring event is suppressed by frequent measurements to determine whether the event has occurred. The same results can be obtained by using atoms or molecules or ions to react to the occurrence of the event. Techniques include directing one or more input qubits onto a device and applying a quantum Zeno effect in the device. The quantum Zeno effect is applied by consuming one or more photons in the device under conditions in which photons, that would otherwise be output by the device, do not represent a result of a particular quantum information processing operation. Devices implemented using the quantum Zeno effect can operate with low error rates without the need for high efficiency detectors and large number of ancilla.

Abstract: A hand held, self-contained, automatic, low power and rapid sensor platform for detecting and quantifying a plurality of analytes. A sample solution potentially containing an unknown amount of an analyte is passed through an affinity column which contains antibodies to which the analyte binds thereby extracting the analyte. The affinity column is then rinsed to remove any other chemicals that may fluoresce. The rinsed affinity column is then eluted with a known volume of elution fluid causing the analyte to release from the antibody and dissolve in the fluid (eluant). The eluant is then placed in the quartz cuvette of a fluorometer. The analyte suspended in the eluant fluoresces at a waveband which is different than that of the light source that excites it. The amount of fluorescence is measured and the level of analyte determined.

Abstract: A Wide Area Metal Detection (WAMD) system and method for security screening a crowd of people is provided. The system comprises at least one Magnetic Field Generator (MFG), e.g., a Horizontal Magnetic Field Generator (HMFG) buried below a walking surface for generating a magnetic field, a plurality of magnetic field sensors located within the sensing area of the MFG for sensing a metallic object, based on eddy currents in the magnetic field, and a location indicator for indicating a location of an individual with the metallic object at a position corresponding to that of one of the plurality of magnetic field sensors that sensed the metallic object. At least one video camera is included for identifying the individual at the location indicated by the location indicator and tracking further movements of the individual.

Abstract: An explosive detector that utilizes an array of molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) coated, bifurcated fiber optic cables to form an image of a target molecule source. Individual sensor fiber assemblies, each with a calibrated airflow, are used to expose the fibers to the target molecule. The detector energizes a dedicated excitation light source for each fiber, while simultaneously reading and processing the intensity of the resulting fluorescence that is indicative of the concentration of the target molecule. Processing electronics precisely controls the excitation current, and measures the detected signal from each narrow band pass filter and photodiode. A computer with display processes the data to form an image of the target molecule source that can be used to identify the source even when low level contamination of the same molecule is present. The detector can be used to detect multiple and/or non-explosive targets by varying the MIP coating.

Abstract: A multi-mode electromagnetic target discrimination sensor system for transmitting an electromagnetic signal and receiving a reflected signal from at least one target is disclosed having a variable inductance antenna having a variable inductance transmitter and a variable inductance receiver for varying at least one of operating bandwidth, sensitivity and size of the antenna, a processor for alternating between a time domain operating mode and a frequency domain operating mode, and controlling the variation of the inductance of the variable inductance antenna based on a current operating mode, and at least one processing algorithm for receiving signals from the receiver, discriminating targets from the received signals, and outputting the discrimination results is disclosed.

Abstract: An analog, single integrated circuit for providing centered video images. A light detector array which can be, e.g., a CCD or an array of phototransistors or silicon retinas, is scanned out to provide a video signal. Current summing lines along each row and column of the array are used as inputs to x and y position sensitive (computation) circuitry located on the edge of the pixel array. When the array utilizes silicon retinas, an absolute value circuit is added to restore low frequency information removed by the retinas to the current summing output. An on-chip sequencer uses the x and y position outputs to scan out the video image centered to the nearest pixel.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing signal ringing in a microchannel plate detector assembly having a cylindrical mount with a center tube extending through at least a portion of the assembly, in a mass spectrometer including the steps of providing the microchannel plate detector assembly with a pin anode extending from the cylindrical mount and located in proximity to the center tube; holding a front portion of the assembly at ground potential; setting a middle portion of the assembly between the front portion and a rear portion to a first voltage potential for accelerating ions; holding the rear portion of the assembly to a second voltage potential; holding the pin anode at a third voltage potential; and accelerating electrons emitted from the middle portion of the assembly toward the pin anode. The third voltage potential is established by an amplifier of an oscilloscope connected to the detector assembly.

Abstract: A system and method of enhanced backplane messaging among a plurality of computer boards communicating over a common bus uses a set of pre-allocated buffers on each computer board to receive messages from other computer boards. Each sending computer board is represented on each remote computer board by a descriptor ring with pointers to pre-allocated buffers on that remote computer board. When a sending computer board has a message to deliver to a remote computer board, the sending computer board uses its DMA controller to transfer the message into the pre-allocated buffers on the remote computer board. The sending computer board also sends a mailbox interrupt to the remote computer board. The remote computer board interrupt handler moves the messages from the descriptor rings to the receiving application(s) via pointer manipulation. Chained DMA transfers are used to eliminate any data transfers by the processor itself across the bus.

Abstract: A receiving station tracking system for receiving GPS data and tracking a mobile vehicle. The receiving station tracking system includes at least one processing stage receiving and processing at least a portion of the GPS data, and a control module receiving and filtering the processed GPS data and outputting at least one control signal in accordance with filtering results. The at least one control signal controls decreasing or increasing a quantity of processing stages of the at least one processing stage.

Abstract: A polymeric food spoilage sensor comprises a polymer containing a polyazamacrocyclic transition metal complex. The complex selectively binds biogenic amines, such as cadaverine, putrescine and histamine, which are released by food spoilage microorganisms. The polymer undergoes a detectable color change upon exposure to biogenic amine, thus indicating that food spoilage has probably occurred. In one embodiment, the polymer is molecularly imprinted with the biogenic amine to impart selective binding affinity. The polymer is easily incorporated in common food containers and can be employed in fiber optic detection devices.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing pathologic heart conditions in which a time series of heart sounds is filtered and parsed into a sequence of individual heart cycles. A systolic interval as well as systolic sub-intervals are identified for each heart cycle. An energy value is computed for the systolic sub-interval of one or more heart cycles. The energy value computed is proportional to the energy level associated with the filtered series of heart sounds. A composite energy value is then computed for the systolic sub-intervals of one or more heart cycles and compared to a threshold level in order to distinguish between a normal heart and a pathologic heart. The system corresponding to the method is comprised of a portable computing device that manages data collection and stores data collected from new patients, and analyzes data.

Abstract: A methanol-air fuel cell consisting of a stack of sub-fuel cells, each sub-fuel cell comprising a proton conducting polymer membrane, with each membrane having an array of 1-cm2-anode unit cells on one side and an array of cathode unit cells on the other. A thin polymer film, with openings for the unit cells and plated with pre-patterned lines of electrical leads, is placed on each side of the membrane to collect the current from each unit cell. A polymer fuel-feed plate is placed on the thin polymer film on each side of the membrane to feed methanol and oxygen to the electrodes.

Abstract: A molecularly imprinted polymeric explosives sensor is provided which possesses selective binding affinity for explosives, such as 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene (TNB). The polymeric sensor incorporates a porphyrin which undergoes a detectable change in absorption and/or emission of electromagnetic radiation when the polymer is exposed to explosives.

Abstract: An autonomous navigation system for an orbital platform incorporating a global positioning system based navigation device optimized for low-Earth orbit and medium-Earth orbit applications including a 12 channel, GPS tracking application-specific integrated circuit (15) operating in concert with a computer system (90) implementing an extended Kalman filter and orbit propagator which autonomously generates estimates of position, velocity and time to enable planning, prediction and execution of event-based commanding of mission operations.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting or preventing the use of anhydrous ammonia as a solvent in a dissolving metal reduction process comprises adding to anhydrous ammonia a chemical reagent which is capable of scavenging solvated electrons generated when alkali or alkaline earth metal is dissolved in the anhydrous ammonia, the chemical reagent being added to the anhydrous ammonia such that when alkali metal is dissolved in the anhydrous ammonia containing the chemical reagent and thereafter ephedrine, pseudoephedrine or combination thereof is introduced to the anhydrous ammonia to produce a reaction product, the methamphetamine yield in the reaction product is below 50%, preferably below 10%, and more preferably below 1%. Preferred chemical reagents include Fe(III)citrate, ferrocene, 2-chloro-6-(trichloromethyl)pyridine and 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane.

Abstract: A time-domain electromagnetic target discriminator (ETD) sensor system and method are provided capable of measuring a metal target's time decay response based on the physical parameters of the metal target and its environment and for identifying the metal target. The ETD sensor system includes a pulse transmitter connected to a receiver via a data acquisition and control system. The transmitter and receiver include coil configurations for placement in proximity to a visually obscured, e.g., buried, metal target (or underground void) for inducing eddy currents within the metal target. The ETD sensor system measures the eddy current time decay response of the metal target in order to perform target recognition and classification. The identification process entails comparing the metal target's (or, underground void or other object's) time decay response with a library of normalized object signatures, e.g., time decay responses and other characteristics.

Abstract: An emergency life support system including a patient ventilator for mechanical breathing assistance; a capnograph to monitor CO2 for ventilation effectiveness; a pulse oximeter for measuring blood stream oxygen saturation; a carbon dioxide sensor; an electrocardiograph (ECG) to monitor cardiac performance; an infusion pump; and alarms and a data recorder. The preferred embodiment uses an oxygen generator to deliver oxygen, to generate electric power to run the ventilation system, and to warm IV fluids and resuscitated air. The generator has electronically controlled valves and a modified valve system that offers the ability to select the oxygen concentration in the air delivered to the patient.